doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Re: Charles Boswell- Before Restoration Pics added

Looking for help on this SxS by Charles Boswell. Did he have grades for his shotguns like Greener. Any info on which grade or model this gun is?

It has ejectors and the address on the rib is "Charles Boswell, 7 S. Molton St, Bond St. London W."

















Thanks.

Sir;

I have never found any indication that Boswell's had any grading system for their guns. Your gun is a Birmingham made gun and it was probably made for pigeon or wildfowl shooting. It is in very good condition and from the engraving style it would appear to have been made in the mid 1930's. Game scene with bold English scroll was a mainstay engraving style of the Birmingham trade during that time frame.

It is typical of the mid-level quality Birmingham guns, but not a top tier quality boxlock as it does not have the four features within the action that one expects from a top quality boxlock gun: a Scott spindle (has a Greener style top lever works), scroll back, intercepting sears, and I doubt that it has a rocker safety--you can determine if it has the rocker safety if you examine the trigger plate to see if there is a small 1/4 inch long slot behind the triggers.

From my experience the majority of Boswell guns were Birmingham made, although some of their London pattern SLE's appear to have been made in London.

I believe that Chris Batha is now living in America and he has the Boswell records.

Best Regards;
Bv

Thanks BV, appreciate the info.

One thing I found interesting on this gun is that the cross bolt is not the typical greener type. It does not protrude from the left fence when the gun is open.

A very handsome gun, Oberndorf.

Nice gun....if it isn't a box lock best it's knocking real hard at the door. Looks restored by someone that knew what he was doing.
What's the proof and choking ?

I think Joe has truly said it best. It is a gorgeous gun, and the scroll engraving is so DEEP, very well crafted and tastefully done.

Here is some good information; "In addition to being a gunmaker Charles Boswell was also an expert shot in the sport of live pigeon shooting. A connection was soon built up based upon his prowess as a shot and skill as a gunmaker and in 1884 he moved to more prestigious premises at No 126 The Strand. The first gunmaking Charles Boswell had served his time (apprenticeship) with Mr Thomas Gooch of Hertford who was first listed as a gunmaker in Hertford in 1834." Sorry, but it doesn't appear he had various grades or models of guns.

Hi, I have a C.B. 16b delivered in 1926. This is one of my favorites! Great gun all around.

Anyway, I e-mailed Chris Bartha with the SN of my gun and got all the info pertaining to my gun (free of charge BTW). According to Chris mine is a 2nd Quality piece.

I also have a reprint of a Charles Boswell Catalog from 1930 when Boswell was at the S. Molton St address (my gun has the previous Strand address). According to the catalog here are the grades for his Boxlock Game Guns:

Best Quality Ejector
2nd Quality Ejector
3rd Quality Ejector
Colonial or Farmer's (Ejector or Non-Ejector)

The same grades are also listed for Sidelock and Pigeon/Waterfowl guns, except there is no Colonial or Farmer Grade guns for these.

So, it does appear that he did grade his guns.

Here are a couple pics of my gun, the qualitys not the best, sorry.

Either way, you have a very nice piece and a darn good game gun. Congrats!

All the best!

Greg

Thanks everyone.

gjw - Nice gun, thanks for sharing. Does the catalog also have prices of the various grades.

I contacted Chris with the serial & he gave me the following information, but did not mention any thing about grades.

The gun was delivered on July 6th 1926 to:
Mr Edwin Watson Esq
The Gables
Kenilworth Road
Balsall Common
Near Coventry
England

A 12 bore A&D ejector game gun.

Bv, its to light for a pigeon gun or a wild fowler. It is a nicely finished game gun.